‘A year to do something big’: U.S. celebrates 250th birthday in 2026. Here’s an early look at local plans.

Having recently completed this year’s Independence Day festivities, it’s still early for the village of Manhattan to start thinking about next year’s.

But there’s one thing that seems clear.

“I do feel like it would be ... a year to do something big,” said Kristen Reinke, the Manhattan village communications and events coordinator.

Next July 4 marks a big birthday for the U.S.: the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence from England in 1776.

And with less than a year to go before the milestone – called a semiquincentennial – communities across the country and throughout northern Illinois have been turning their attention to how to mark the occasion. Some towns already have plans in place and activities underway, while others are just starting to think ab